Aeroméxico Flight 230

On July 27, 1981, Aeroméxico Flight 230, operating a domestic passenger flight within Mexico, experienced a hard landing and runway excursion at Chihuahua International Airport. Thirty-two people were killed when the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 jet aircraft was heavily damaged by impact with the ground and fire on approach in high winds.

Background

The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, registered as XA-DEN with MSN 47621/729. At the time of the crash, it was 7 years old.

Accident

The flight was uneventful until landing at Chihuahua. There were isolated cumulonimbus clouds with strong squalls and showers during approach and landing. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced once and struck the ground with immense force. The aircraft then slid off the runway, broke up and caught fire. Thirty-four passengers and crew were able to flee the wreckage; the smoke and fire caused the deaths of those that remained trapped.